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Lunch spots for tacos in Costa Mesa

You want a taco that is substantial enough to serve as a proper lunch.

Based on 653 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
Tacos La Pina image 1
Tacos La Pina image 2
Tacos La Pina image 3
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Mexican restaurant

Glass windows reveal food preparation in a clean, quiet space with handmade tortillas and fresh ingredients. Seating feels open and controlled, creating a home-like vibe in an industrial setting. The place draws a steady crowd on limited days, known for exceptionally priced, high-quality tacos.

Lunch options come with convenient walk-up access and a variety that impresses. This spot serves as a reliable choice for midday meals.

Steak and Al Pastor tacos stand out with freshly handmade tortillas and meat marinated for 12 hours in 24 ingredients. The tacos combine flavorful meat and veggies with incredible pricing and a chill vibe.

People are saying

"I thought the tacos here were phenomenal."

"I was so impressed with the delicious food at this lunch spot."

"I loved the fresh guacamole with their signature seasoned chips."

Good to know

1

Tacos La Pina operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

2

Expect to arrive early as they often sell out quickly.

3

The wait time for food is about 7 minutes even when busy.

02
Baja Fish Tacos image 1
Mexican restaurant

Wide-open layout creates a casual, friendly atmosphere with a relaxed beach-town vibe. Busy and noisy during lunchtime, it offers a big salsa bar and self-service soda machine. Known for fresh fish tacos and generous portions, it blends fast food convenience with quality Mexican flavors.

Fresh and satisfying food makes it a reliable lunch spot. Outdoor seating is available but often quiet during lunch hours.

Shrimp tacos come juicy and well-seasoned with bursting flavor. Fish tacos feature flaky, lightly battered or grilled fish with crisp cabbage and creamy sauce. Blackened fish tacos and bowls offer fresh, tasty options with authentic flavors.

People are saying

"The food here is amazing and consistently excellent."

"The fish tacos here are flaky, flavorful, and fresh."

"This lunch spot always has excellent, fresh food made from scratch."

Good to know

1

Expect long wait times during peak hours.

2

The portions are generous and satisfying.

3

The menu includes burritos, bowls, enchiladas, and vegetarian options.

03
Mercado González Northgate Market image 1

Mexican grocery store combines vibrant decor with live mariachi music and a full bar inside. Atmosphere feels lively and festive, often with a DJ and food stations creating a chaotic yet welcoming vibe. Outdoor seating adds a quaint touch, making it a unique blend of shopping and entertainment.

Assorted lunch options and fresh bakery goods fill the market. A great bar area offers a spot to enjoy lunch or grab a drink. Prepared foods and food stands provide reliable choices for a quick meal.

Fish tacos near the sushi corner stand out with fresh flavors. Tacos come with fresh-made salsas that add a vibrant kick. Options include asada and pollo tacos, all served with classic sides like rice and beans.

People are saying

"This grocery store has amazing prepared Mexican food and fresh items."

"This lunch spot is a culinary tour through Mexico and Latin America."

"I loved their chicken tacos and fish tacos."

Good to know

1

Live music happens every weekend, enhancing the shopping experience.

2

Menudo is served only on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 AM to noon.

3

Parking can be challenging, especially on weekends.

04
Super A's Mexican Food image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant with a homey neighborhood vibe and family-oriented atmosphere feels like eating in a big house. Energy stays top notch with loud, lively noise levels, especially during sports events. Offers authentic Mexican cuisine with a mammoth selection of dishes and reasonable prices.

Lunch features great specials that include soup with tacos and chili Verde burritos. Meals come very filling and suit visits after busy mornings or weekend activities.

Tacos come with Chile Verde and lunch specials that include soup. Taco Tuesday offers a bargain and the tacos pair well with favorite beers.

People are saying

"The Mexican food here is awesome, with delicious enchiladas."

"This lunch spot has delicious tacos and authentic beans and rice."

"I found the tacos to be really good."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday offers great deals on tacos, making it a popular choice.

2

Lunch specials are available daily, providing good value for money.

3

The restaurant is family-owned, adding a personal touch to the dining experience.

05
Tres Muchachos Wine Bar & Kitchen image 1

Small Mexican restaurant offers an intimate setting with a chill vibe and live DJs spinning records. Outdoor patio seating adds a relaxing atmosphere complemented by heaters when needed. The space feels modern and artful, creating a welcoming and lighthearted environment.

Lunch here involves a high price point, with meals for three exceeding $125. The food quality supports the cost, making it a notable choice for special occasions or when spending more is expected.

Pork belly tacos stand out with rich flavor and generous filling. Steak tacos offer a tender, satisfying bite that many find memorable.

People are saying

"I thought the food was phenomenal and awesome."

"The chimichurri hummus at this lunch spot was a star dish."

"I thought the pork belly tacos were stuffed and delicious."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended for special events like wine pairings.

2

Brunch is served all day, making it a flexible dining option.

3

The restaurant hosts food and wine pairing events regularly.

06
El Toro Bravo Tortilleria image 1
Mexican restaurant

Large boilers produce homemade tortillas and chips in a busy, chaotic space with limited seating focused on takeout. The atmosphere feels authentically Mexican despite unsanitary conditions and a no-frills setup. Generous portions and flavorful tacos, burritos, and carnitas draw long lines.

Waiting in line during lunch is common because the spot gets pretty packed. Arriving before noon helps catch a short line and fits a quick 30-minute lunch window.

Tacos come with a massive amount of meat, often enough for two or three tacos. Carnitas tacos stand out with tender, juicy meat packed full of flavor. The surtido taco offers a mix that many find exceptional.

People are saying

"The food portions here are generous and a great value."

"The carnitas tacos were delicious and large."

"I loved the fresh tortillas and big, delicious meat tacos."

Good to know

1

El Toro Bravo Tortilleria is a take-out only place with no seating available.

2

Masa sells out quickly, so arrive in the morning for the best chance.

3

Expect long wait times during lunch hours due to high demand.

07
Acapulco image 1
Mexican restaurant

Spacious Mexican restaurant with a tropical outdoor patio featuring a fireplace and live music. Upbeat cantina atmosphere blends casual, beachy interior with a family-friendly vibe. Generous margaritas and colorful patio make it a lively spot for relaxing and socializing.

Lunch offers an all you can eat buffet for $14 with handmade tortillas included. The buffet provides a great value with a variety of tasty options.

Baja fish tacos stand out with fresh, bold flavors. The Birria Tacos come with tender beef and a consommé for dunking. Taco Tuesday offers great deals and vampire tacos that elevate the experience.

People are saying

"I found the handmade tortillas and authentic Mexican food to be great."

"The fish tacos here are delicious."

"The lunch buffet is a great value with handmade tortillas."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs daily from 3pm to 8pm with drinks starting at $4.

2

Taco Tuesday features special pricing on tacos and drinks.

3

The lunch buffet costs $14 for all-you-can-eat options.

08
Rubio's Coastal Grill image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant offers American Mexican seafood with a focus on fish tacos that remain fresh and delicious. Atmosphere is themed and clean, with options for dining inside, outside, or to go. The place stays quick and affordable, attracting a steady but not crowded flow of diners.

Lunch breaks often include meals here due to its location in the same plaza. Meals cost around $6.78 and can be filling enough to force finishing even tricky items like a taco.

Fish tacos stand out with freshness and generous portions, often loaded with toppings and sauce. Options include blackened taco plates that add extra flavor, alongside affordable steak and chicken tacos.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be great and tasty."

"These fish tacos are delicious and fresh."

"I found the tacos here to be pretty good."

Good to know

1

The restaurant maintains cleanliness and has clean bathrooms.

2

There is plenty of parking available at the restaurant.

3

Dining options include inside, outside, or to go.

09
Holé Smokes BBQ image 1

Smoke fills the air alongside the scent of barbecue, while old wood floors scattered with peanut shells create a Texas BBQ vibe. Neon beer signs and multiple TVs support a lively sports-friendly atmosphere. Seating accommodates both groups and families, with a comfortable patio adding to the space.

A new lunch menu offers good value. The meals are consistently very good.

Brisket tacos stand out with tender meat and bold flavor. Fish tacos, especially the taco de pescado, offer a consistent choice. Chicken tacos add a crunchy twist to the menu.

People are saying

"The American Food here, especially the brisket, just melts in your mouth."

"This lunch spot's brisket and ribs were so tasty."

"I'd mainly recommend the shrimp taco."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 3 to 7pm on weekdays and 3 to 6pm on weekends.

2

Taco Tuesday features special menu items and pricing.

3

Parking is generally easy to find near the restaurant.

10
Mi Casa image 1
Mexican restaurant

Old school Mexican restaurant with an open, airy layout after recent renovations. Atmosphere feels family-friendly and cozy, with a bar area showing games on large screens. Known for classic tacos and strong margaritas, it draws locals who appreciate its long-standing community presence.

Lunch specials offer large portions at a reasonable price. Meals come with good value around $33 for two people.

Tacos come huge and delicious with standout shredded beef options. Taco Tuesday features notable nachos alongside the tacos.

People are saying

"I've loved their Mexican food since I was a kid; it's a favorite."

"I've been coming here since I was in diapers for their tacos."

"This lunch spot has huge portions and great food."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday offers all-day specials during happy hour with $4 bowls.

2

Happy hour features great prices on food and drinks from 4-7pm.

3

Parking can get hectic, so arrive early to find a spot.

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Costa Mesa, California

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